Vols. for 1994-1995 distributed to depository libraries in microfiche.

General Note:

Special "80th anniversary supplement" issue published on Aug. 12, 1994.

General Note:

Special ed. for 65th anniversary of the Panama Canal issued at end of Oct. 1979, is also a joint issue with: The News: authorized unofficial publication of the U.S. Armed Forces, Quarry Heights, Panama, and includes the text of the Panama Canal Act.

Record Information

Rights Management:

All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.

Resource Identifier:

oclc - 02582102lccn - 83642750 issn - 0364-8044

Classification:

lcc - HE538 .A37ddc - 386/.444/05

System ID:

UF00094771:01355

Related Items

Preceded by:

Spillway

Succeeded by:

Faro (Balboa, Panama)

Full Text

Gift of the Panama Canal Museum

Treaty Transition Special Edition

J-L.

More Than 67 Years of Service to World.Commerce

The Panama Canal Spillway

Friday, March 26, 1982

Vol. XX, No. 27

d3ri 30-month treaty transition

draws to close Wednesday

Photo by Don Goode
Police Officer John R. Lee patrols a familiar beat in Ancon as the transition period draws to a close, bringing
with it the disestablishment of the 78-year-old Canal Zone Police Division.

Police Division ends midnight .March 31

In accordance with the Panama
Canal treaties, the Panama Canal
Commission Police Division will
cease to exist as of midnight on
March 31, 1982. The functions
formerly carried out by this division
will become, from then on, the
responsibility of the Panama Na-
tional Guard.
Although the personnel, the uni-
form and the nationality will change,
the service rendered to the public
will, according to Major Aristides
Valdonedo. Commander of the
Panama National Guard Joint
Patrol, remain at the same high
standard. Residents in need of police
aid should not hesitate to call them,
as English- and Spanish-speaking
officers will be on duty to receive
calls and render assistance.
Police functions will continue to
be carried out at the same buildings
and locations as before, Building 801
in Balboa, Building 58 in Gamboa
and the Administration Building
(Building 1105) in Cristobal. The
telephone numbers are 52-7862, 56-
6624, and 46-7201, respectively.
Making the change with the least
possible disruption of service has
been the aim of the 30-month Joint
Patrol period during which Panama
Canal Commission police worked
with the Panama National Guard to
devise the system under which the
police function will be carried out

when Panama assumes law en-
forcement responsibility for the
civilian sector of the Canal area.
The period was divided into three
ten-month sessions, with 100 Pan-
ama National Guard officers re-
ceiving training and preparation in
each session. As each 100 officers
completed the training, they began
their joint law enforcement duties in
the Canal area, usually in two-
member teams composed of one
National Guard officer and one
Commission police officer.
As the transition period draws to a

close, the third and final group of
Panama National Guard officers has
joined the ranks of the active Joint
Patrol, giving the National Guard
contingent the full complement of
law enforcement officers with which
they will exercise the police function
beginning April 1.
On military installations, law
enforcement activities will continue
as they have been, with U.S. patrols
on defense sites and combined
patrols of U.S. Military and Panama
National Guard on military areas of
coordination.

Health care among benefits

of Panama Social Security

An important change to take place
as the treaty timetable advances will
be the termination on March 31,
1982, of health care services in U.S.
Government facilities for most non-
U.S.-citizen employees and their
dependents.
In compliance with the treaty,
non-U.S.-citizen employees of the
Commission who were employed
subsequent to the entry into force of
the treaty are covered by the Social
Security System of the Republic of
Panama.
According to Panamanian au-
thorities, there are currently 1,920
Commission employees covered by

The public is cordially invited

The Panama Canal Commission
Police Division extends an invitation
to the public to attend the division's
closing ceremonies at 4:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, March 31, on the steps
of the Administration Building.
Highlighting the occasion will be
short speeches by Commission
Administrator D. P. McAuliffe,
General Services Director F.A.
Cotton, Police Chief William F.
Kessler, United States Attorney

Frank J. Violanti and Dr. Richard
A. Cheville.
Representatives from the Panama
Canal Commission, the United
States Embassy, the Panama Na-
tional Guard, the U.S. Forces and
the U.S. courts are expected to be
present for this final tribute to the
organization that has provided the
Canal area community with law
enforcement protection since 1904.

Panama's Social Security (Caja de
Seguro Social) who are eligible to
receive all of the benefits offered by
the system.
Unlike U.S. Social Security,
which provides only retirement and
survivors' benefits, Panamanian So-
cial Security offers in addition a wide
range of health services.
Benefits include maternity and
child care, health care for the worker
and his or her dependents, work-
men's compensation, retirement
pensions, widows' and orphans'
pensions and financial aid toward
the funeral. Dependent children are
covered up to 18 years of age, or to
age 25 if they are students. If for
some reason an operation cannot be
performed in Panama, the costs of
the operation performed elsewhere
are covered by Panama's Social
Security.
Among the benefits Commission
employees covered by Panamanian
Social Security have is free medical
care at any Social Security medical
facility including the Amador Gue-
rrero Hospital in Colon and the
Municipal Hospital in Panama City,
(Continued on page 8)

With only five days left until
March 31, the 30-month transition
period established by the Panama
Canal Treaty of 1977 is rapidly
drawing to a close. Following the
sweeping changes brought about on
October 1, 1979, the date of treaty
implementation, the transition pe-
riod can be characterized as a
smooth and orderly transfer of
jurisdiction over the Canal area from
U.S. to Panamanian hands.
The following changes are called
for by the treaty and related
agreements at the end of the
transition period:
* Non-U.S.-citizen employees
covered under the U.S. Civil Service
Retirement System will no longer
have eligibility for treatment at
MEDDAC facilities. These em-
ployees have been given the option to
either continue eligibility for cover-
age under Federal Employees
Health Benefits plans or to enroll in
the Health and Maternity Benefits
Program under the Panama Social
Security System. The election period
ends with the close of the transition
period.
* The Panama Canal Com-
mission Police Division will be
disestablished and shared law en-
forcement responsibility between the
Commission police force and the
Panama National Guard will end.
Except in military areas of co-
ordination, where combined patrols
by U.S. military police and Panama
National Guard will continue
throughout the treaty, and on
defense sites, which will be patrolled
only by U.S. military police, law
enforcement in the Canal area will be
the sole responsibility of the Panama
National Guard.
* The U.S. District Court for the
District of the Canal Zone and the
magistrate's court will close, along
with other offices performing related
criminal justice functions.
* In compliance with Panama-
nian law, business and non-profit
organizations operating in the Canal
area that have obtained their
provisional recognition and wish to

continue their activities, must have
obtained or be in the process of
obtaining their final legal recognition
(Personeria Juridica) by March 31,
1982.
* Facilities housing the Balboa
Magistrate's Court and the Balboa
Police Station will be transferred to
Panama on April 1.
Although the transition period
will soon be over, the treaty
implementation process will con-
tinue throughout the life of the
treaty. Important milestones in this
process are listed below:
* By October 1, 1982, two Arrpy
and Air Force Exchange Services
warehouses in the Curundu PAD
area, the Curundu Heights housing
area, barracks facilities in Fort
Gulick, the District Court Building
in Ancon and the Cristobal Police
Training Center will be turned over
to Panama.
* By October 1, 1984, France
Field and Fort Gulick will be
transferred to Panama, with the
exception of family housing, com-
munity service areas ard the am-
munition storage facility. In addi-
tion, 20 percent of Panama Canal
Commission housing will have been
transferred, and the Mount Hope
warehouse area and motor trans-
portation area are scheduled for
transfer as well. U.S.-citizen em-
ployees of the Panama Canal
Commission are scheduled to lose
their privilege to use military com-
missaries, exchanges and post of-
fices.
* By October 1, 1989, 30 percent
of Commission housing must be
transferred to Panama.
* By October 1, 1994, 45 percent
of the housing must have been
transferred, and,
* By October 1, 1999, 60 percent
must have been turned over.
During the life of the treaty, family
housing, community service areas
and the ammunition storage facility
in Fort Gulick will be transferred to
Panama, as will Fort Amador, the
contractor's trailer housing area in
Curundu Flats and the U.S. Forces
family housing in Coco Solo.

Transition makes history

Up-to-the-minute, treaty-related
history is being recorded as it
happens by two Panama Canal
Commission historians. Assigned to
the Records Management Branch,
Carol Rodrigues and Penny Robles
are charged with recording the
significant events of the Panama
Canal Treaty planning, implemen-
tation and 30-month transition
period. They have interviewed State
Department and Department of
Defense personnel, former execu-
tive secretaries of the Canal or-
ganization, treaty implementation
conceptualizers and Panama Canal
Commission division heads. "We
will soon be going out to talk to the
people in the community," says Ms.

Rodrigues. "The history will doc-
ument changes in the total com-
munity, as they affected individuals
as well as organizations."
The history will include a chapter
on the Binational Working Group,
the organization through which the
treaty implementation planning with
Panama was accomplished. The
history will cover areas such as lands
and waters, ports and railroad,
health and sanitation, and fire
protection.
(Continued on page 8)

Square dance club
The Star-in-a-Circle square dance
club dances every Saturday night
from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Balboa
Teen/Community Center at the
corner of Balboa Road and Roose-
velt Ave. For further information
call Eva Liehr at 85-5835 or Chuck
Chesteen at 27-0859, after 6 p.m.
Money talk
With April I around the corner, it
is prudent to remember the old
adage, "A fool and his money are
soon parted." For tips on wise
financial management, plan to at-
tend the "Money Talk" at 7 p.m. on
Wednesday, April 7, at the Valent
Recreation Center.
Account Executive J. Timothy
Taylor from Merrill Lynch will
discuss ways to save money on taxes
and individual retirement accounts
(IRAs). Mr. Taylor will also advise
the local military and civilian
community on participation in
IRAs.
Everyone is invited to attend this
free, informative presentation.
College club meeting
The Isthmian College Club Board
will meet at 3 p.m. on Monday,
March 29. Mary McCalmont will
host the meeting at her home at
1027-A Lasseter Street in Fort
Clayton. Reports will be given, and
plans for the forthcoming month will
be discussed.

Scuba classes
The Balboa Armed Services
YMCA's next Basic Scuba class is
scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on
Monday. Certification is available
from YMCA, NAUI, PADI,
CMAS or LACO, and course
instructor Ren6 Gomez invites
everyone age 15 or older interested in
exploring the underwater beauty of
Panama to register now at the
Balboa Y's reception desk.
The course is four weeks in length
and features pool and classroom
sessions on Monday, Wednesday
and Friday evenings, two open-
water dives at Portobelo on week-
ends, plus an optional dive at
Contadora, San Bias or Isla Grande.
For more information contact the
Balboa YMCA at 52-2839 or 52-
2759.
Walking tour
The Valent Recreation Center is
planning a walking tour of Colonial
Panama on Saturday, April 17. Led
by the Rev. Walter K. Reitz, the
group will visit the Church of the
Golden Altar, the Presidential Pal-
ace, the National Theater, the
French Plaza and other historical
sites in the Casco Viejo area.
Reservations should be made as
soon as possible, as a limited amount
of space is available. Those attending
should meet at the center by 8:30
a.m.
Class of '66 reunion
The Balboa High School Class of
1966 reunion will be held April 9
through 11 at the Sheraton-Uni-
versal Hotel in Hollywood, Calif. An
update of the names and addresses of
classmates has also been compiled
and is available for $3.50. For more
information on the reunion or the
update, write to Linda Woodruff
Weir, 18317 Kittridge No. 25,
Reseda, CA 91335 or call her at
213-881-5196.

Canal People

Sewing class graduation
and registration
The Balboa Armed Services
YMCA's first sewing classes of 1982
will hold their graduation and
fashion show beginning at 7:30 p.m.
on April 2 at the YMCA. Course
instructor Miss Edna C6rdova
cordially invites the public to attend.
Class members will model their latest
creations, and persons interested in
enrolling in Miss C6rdova's next
class will be able to see firsthand the
results that can be expected from her
excellent instruction.
Registration for the next session
of 10-week courses is now open, with
beginner classes scheduled for Satur-
days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and
Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. An
advanced class will be held on
Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. For more
information on the fashion show or
the classes, call the Balboa Armed
Services YMCA at 52-2839 or 52-
2759.
"Pifa Colada Sip"
The organizing committee of the
contest for the Black Panamanian
Queen of the 1983 Carnival is getting
an early start by sponsoring a "Pifia
Colada Sip" at the ATLAPA
Convention Center's Caf6 La Totu-
ma beginning at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
The committee invites the public to
come and enjoy dancing to the music
of the reknowned "Electro Disco"
and "Joe Rochester" sound en-
sembles at this and kick-off for the
fund-raising drive in support of next
year's presentation.
Dog obedience
Dog obedience classes taught by
Katherine Heidel will be offered at
the Valent Recreation Center, be-
ginning April 6. Open to all dogs
over six weeks of age with proof of
vaccination, the ten-week course will
meet every Tuesday evening at 5:30.
Registration is limited to the first ten
applicants and the fee includes a
collar, lead and written instructions.
Call the center at 87-6500 for more
information.

E.M.T.s meeting
The Isthmian Association of
Emergency Medical Technicians
(E.M.T.s) will sponsor a lecture and
slide demonstration for its members
at 7 p.m. on March 31, in Conference
Room No. 2 on the second floor of
the main building of Gorgas Hos-
pital. The lecture will be given by
Captain Worthan of the Staff-Judge
Advocate Office, and his theme will
be the "Legal Aspects of the
E.M.T.s."
This lecture will complete the first
module of the paramedic inter-
mediate course. Those attending will
also be informed as to the time
proposed for the course to resume in
the future.
For information, please call Sgt.
V. Smith at 52-7574 or 84-4675
(work) or 52-4207 (home).
Trapshooting contest
The annual amateur trapshooting
championship sponsored by the
Isthmian Claybird Association is
scheduled for the weekend of April 3
and 4 at the Rodman Gun Club
Range.
On each day of the event 200
targets will be shot. The agenda for
Saturday includes 16-yard and
handicap events, while on Sunday
doubles competition is planned.
Shooting starts promptly at 10,
and registration will be open at 9
each morning. Although the tour-
nament is for association members,
non-members who wish to compete
may join prior to the contest.
The Amateur Trapshooting As-
socation has provided over $1,000
for trophies, which will be -awarded
in all events and classes.
The public is invited to come out
and enjoy this free event. A catered
lunch will be available for spectators
and participants alike. The price of
the food is included in the regis-
tration fee for contestants. For
spectators the price will be $2 for
adults and $1 for children.
For more information, call Mary
Tucker at 82-4863.

Going to the dogs
Everyone is invited to "go to the
dogs" at the first annual dog show
being sponsored by the women of St.
Luke's Cathedral at 3:30 p.m.,
tomorrow, in the church parking lot.
There will be classes for all types of
canines with a $1 registration fee
charged. Dogs do not have to be
pedigreed to enter.
Kathleen Gilley will be on hand to
judge the classes and give a dog
obedience demonstration. As part of
the fun, the women of the church will
also be selling hotdogs, what else?
YMCA swim classes
ages infant to 17
The Balboa Armed Services
YMCA will offer a special two-week
Infant Swim class beginning Mon-
day. Registration is limited to
children ages 6 months to 3 years,
and a parent must accompany the
child in the water. The class will meet
from 4:30 to 5 p.m., Monday to
Thursday and will be instructed by
Valencio Thomas.
Also to be offered on the same
days will be a class for children ages 6
to 17 which will meet from 5 to 5:45
p.m. Registration for both courses is
now open at the Balboa YMCA
reception desk.
For more information call the Y at
52-2839 or 52-2759.
Colombian tour
Take an exciting Colombian
vacation with the Quarry Heights
and the Pacific Officers' Wives clubs.
The trip begins on April 30 when
the group heads for Cartagena to
spend the next few days enjoying
Spanish colonial heritage, modern
tourist facilities and superb beaches.
Four days of fabulous shopping and
sightseeing in Bogota will then be
offered before the return trip to
Panama on May 6.
The price of $506 covers air fare,
hotels, transportation between the
hotels and airports, city tours of
Cartagena and Bogota and tours of
the Gold Museum and Salt Cathe-
dral in Bogota.

Security guard's life anything but ordinary

by Susan K. Stabler

Except for his tanned Indian face,
dark smiling eyes and an enduring
affection for the people and islands
of his birth, little remains for
Adoniram Judson Iglesias of the
little boy born 51 years ago on the
Island of Aligandi in the San Bias
province of Panama.
A Panama Canal Commission
security guard on the Atlantic side,
Mr. Iglesias has been an American
citizen since becoming naturalized in
1965. Although he returns at least
once a year to Aligandi in September
to take part in memorial services for
his adoptive missionary father, Mr.
Iglesias says of his way oflife,"All my
ways are American ways, I grew up
like any ordinary boy."
Most people would call Mr.
Iglesias' life anything but ordinary.
As a tiny, destitute Indian boy he was
rescued and later adopted by
missionaries Marvel and Alcibiades
Iglesias, who gave him the name
Adoniram Judson after a 19th
century missionary in India. This did
not involve changing his name, since
in those days Cuna children were not
given names because it was felt that
evil spirits would more easily find a
child if his name were known.

Readers may remember Marvel
and Alcibiades Iglesias as the Cuna
and American husband and wife
team who were responsible for the
construction and ongoing operation
of the only hospital in the San Bias
Island chain. Located on the Island
of Aligandi, this hospital has ben-
efitted thousands of Cuna Indians
over the years, and is a tribute to the
couple's dedication to the Cuna
people.
Additionally, Mrs. Iglesias is well
known in her own right as co-author
of "Beauty Is a Ring in My Nose?," a
charming tale of an American
woman's experiences of life among
the Cunas.
At the age of five, young "Jud"
entered a special Indian school in
Muskogee, Oklahoma. There he
lived in a dormitory with Indian
students representing 44 different.
tribes, going to school and, as he
says, doing his daily chores, which
included "milking the cows and
taking care of the pigs."
Upon graduation from high
school at the age of 19, he returned to
Panama where for two years he
worked with his missionary father as
sports director for the Cuna Indian
school on the Island of Aligandi.
Still, he was restless on the Island
and longed for a different life.

Through his father's help and
influence, he joined the U.S. Army,
traveling during his four and a half
years of service to the United States
and Italy. Following an honorable
discharge, he returned home to the
San Bias Islands, this time to work
for about a year as a guide for
visiting tourists.
In 1957, he was hired as a
stevedore on the Cristobal piers and
began what has become a lifetime
career working for. the Panama
Canal. And although he transferred
in 1965 to his current position as a
Security Guard, all of his many years
of Canal service, have been on the
Atlantic side.
Mr. Iglesias is married and has
four children. Daughter Marvel,
named after her grandmother, is in
her freshman year at the Missouri
School of the Ozarks; Ana and
Mauri attend Cristobal High
School; and "Junior," named Ado-
niram Judson after his father, is in
the sixth grade at Margarita Ele-
mentry School.
Mrs. Iglesias is a full-blooded
Cuna Indian, born on the Island of
Nargand, but raised in Colon. When
the couple married, three important
Cuna Indian chiefs traveled to Colon
to attend the wedding.

During his periodic visits to the
San Blas Islands, Mr. Iglesias enjoys
hunting for deer, wild pigs and
rabbits. He admits also to a passion
for fishing, but says he usually does
not have time for it. To keep fit, he
plays basketball and softball. Team-
mates call him "Jud" or "Iggy,"
finding Adoniram or Iglesias to be a
bit of a mouthful.

When working at his job as a
security guard, Mr. Iglesias can be
found most often on duty at the

Gatun Locks bridge. He describes
his job as "interesting" and says that
he enjoys seeing the different ships
going through the Canal each day.
His duties include noting main-
tenance needs at the water filtration
and electrical plants and keeping an
eye on the dam spillway and the
locks.
With over 25 years of service to the
Panama Canal, he says he plans to
stick around for a few more years,
commenting, "I want to put in my
30."

Page 2

j

March 26, 1982

THE PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY

Explorers learn teamwork in 50-mile cayuco race

The 29th Ocean-to-Ocean Ex-
plorer Scout Cayuco Race will get
underway at 3:30 p.m. on Friday,
April 2, when the official timer fires
the starting gun at the Cristobal
Yacht Club.
At that moment, 30 cayucos, each
with four crew members, will start
off on the first leg of the 50-mile race
through the Panama Canal to the
Rodman docks. Accompanying
them will be a first aid boat, a canoe
with four adult observers and,
possibly, a fire department boat.
Pleasure craft not registered as escort
boats must stay clear of cayucos at
all times.
The 30 cayucos represent two
posts and one ship. There will be at
least five cayucos with all-female
crews and five with coed crews.
Many of the crews have been
practicing for this event since
December. According to Post 21
advisor Frank Robinson, there are
approximately 14 cayucos in Diablo
at 5:15 each morning, launching by
flashlight for pre-school practice.
Mr. Robinson feels that the major
importance of this race is that it
builds character. "It takes about four
months to prepare a group to race,"
he says. "During this time, crises
arise and the teams have internal
disagreements and arguments. Na-
tural leaders in each group invariably
emerge. And the end result is that
team members come to realize that,
regardless of personal animosities,
they have to pull together to win the
race."

Explorer scouts rise before dawn to launch out on a practice session for their annual ocean-to-ocean cayuco
race. Several all-girl and coed teams are among the participants in this year's contest.

Timers in this year's marathon are
well-qualified for the job, having
functioned in this capacity for the
last five or six annual cayuco races.
One thing their experiences have
taught them is that the participants
themselves are the best judges of
fines and penalties to be set for
infractions of the rules. Timers and
'team captains consult in private
sessions during which the timers

explain the circumstances of each
infraction, and the captains set the
penalties.
The first leg of the race from
Cristobal to Gatun Locks is expected
to end at about 5 p.m. on Friday.
The next morning at 7 a.m., the
starting gun will be fired and the
racers will pull out for four to seven
hours of gruelling, non-stop pad-
dling to Gamboa.

On Sunday morning the racers
will start off at 8 a.m. and will paddle
to Pedro Miguel, lock down there,
continue on to lock down at
Miraflores and then make the final
sprint for the Rodman pier.
The participants this year will
enjoy the advantage of having along
on the race a Panama Canal pilot
who will coordinate with the control
tower to expedite the passage of the

cayucos through the locks.
The last cayuco is expected to
reach Rodman at about 2 p.m.
Waiting at water's edge to meet them
will be friends and family members,
who wade out with words of
welcome, hard-earned icy drinks and
helping hands to drag the cayucos
ashore and secure them onto their
trailers for transfer back to home
base later in the day. A picnic lunch
is spread out by each family and a
great deal of good-natured rehashing
of the race takes place as racers and
their families wander from one
spread to another, sampling eatables
and trading tall tales.
Meanwhile, parents are readying
their cameras and snapping sample
shots of "their" team in, preparation
for the serious picture-taking to be
done at the awards ceremony to
follow, and judges are utilizing the
interval to check and recheck their
tallies prior to announcing the big
winners of the Spartan event.
The awards ceremony will be held
in the Rodman ballpark at 3 p.m.
Trophies, which were purchased
with funds donated by Luis Var-
cacia, S.A., will include first-to
fourth-place, boys-only teams and
first-place, girls-only team, as well as
coed teams, and adult prizes and
three prizes for categories to be
announced during the awards cer-
emony. In addition, patches will be
distributed to all racers who com-
plete the entire race and receive a
recommendation from their cayuco
captains.

CFC softball tourney begins Monday

The Fifteenth Annual Viceroy
Combined Federal Campaign
(CFC) Slow Pitch Softball Tour-
nament, sponsored by Tabacalera
Istmefla, S.A., and the Pacific
Softball League, will be played at the
Pacific Softball League Park in
Balboa during the period between
Monday, March 29, and Sunday,
April 25. Thirty-two teams, twenty
Class A teams and twelve Class B
teams, will be invited to this double-
elimination tournament. Seventeen
players will be permitted on each
team.
There is a $50 entrance fee for
teams to enter the tournament, $25
of which goes to the CFC and $25 of
which is a forfeit guarantee. Team
rosters and entrance fees should be
turned in as soon as possible to any
Pacific Softball League team man-
ager.
The unlimited height rule and the
board behind home plate will be

used during this tournament. Re-
freshments will be available at the
park concession stand throughout
the tournament:
Awards and trophies will be
presented by Viceroy and opening
and closing ceremonies will be
attended by representatives of Ta-
bacalera Istmefia, S.A. and CFC.
Viceroy will also award Favorite Fan
Trophies, and Miss Viceroy will be
present at various games during the
tournament.
Games will be played at 6, 7:30
and 9 p.m. on Monday through
Friday, from 1:30 to 10 p.m. on
Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. to 8
p.m. on Sundays.
Further information may be
obtained from the following league
officials: President Bill Nickisher at
52-6661 or 52-7714; Executive Di-
rector Bill De La Mater at 52-6528;
Treasurer Jim DesLondes at 52-2100
or 52-3133, or any other league

officer. The league telephone num-
ber is 52-6179. Others who may be
contacted regarding the tournament
are Abdiel Flynn at 52-5909 or 60-
0763; Vic Grey at 61-2300; Gus De
La Guardia at 52-7897; or Lloyd
Perkins at 52-3400 or 66-2503.

Commissary hours
extended at Gulick
Because of the closing of the Coco
Solo Commissary on March 31, the
operating hours of the Fort Gulick
Commissary have been extended.
The new schedule, which goes into
effect on April 1, is provided below:

The Balboa High School Sym-
phonic Band takes a break during
rehearsals for the upcoming
Spring Concert, which will be held
at 7:31 p.m. on April 1 at the BHS
Auditorium. Under the supervision
of music director Ed Carwithen,
student conduct'.r Ted L. Ceder-
blom will lead the musicians in a
program that willfeature a French
horn solo by Robin Cahill, a
rendition of Johannes Brahms'
"Academic Festival Overture" and
a dixieland selection. The public is
invited to attend this free evening
of entertainment.

Page 3

Phi Delta Kappa scholarships

Phi Delta Kappa, an educational fraternity, is offering three
scholarships for the 1982-83 academic school year. Applicants must
express an interest in the field of education and aspire to obtain a
degree in that profession.
Two of the scholarships will be for $600 each to be used for one year
of study at Panama Canal College. These scholarships will be made
payable to the Office of the Registrar, Panama Canal College, for the
first semester. A 2.0 grade point average must be maintained in order
to receive the second semester payment. If the recipient fails to meet
this requirement, the scholarship will be forfeited.
A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded for study at an accredited
college or university in the United States. The scholarship will be
made payable to the Finance Office of the college of the recipient's
choice to be applied toward tuition for the 1982-83 academic year.
Applicants must be sponsored students who plan to enroll at
Panama Canal College as full-time students in the fall of 1982 or who
plan to enter an accredited college or university in the United States
for the Fall 1982 session as full-time students.
Applicants will be judged with respect to academic excellence,
financial need, and desire to pursue studies in the field of education.
Applications are now available from the counselors at the Panama
Canal College, the Balboa High School and the Cristobal High
School. All applications must be completed and turned in by April 15.

THE PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY

March 26, 1982

RP Social Security covers

Panama Canal Commission em- Social Security will assume the
ployees who are covered under the necessary costs for the employee's
Panama Social Security System transportation and room and board
should be aware of their rights, if it is necessary that. he or she be
benefits and entitlements under the moved for treatment to a place that
Social Security System with respect is not his or her home or work site.
to performance-of-duty injuries. Medical, prostheses and ortho-
The Social Security System's paedic services will be provided at
compulsory coverage of perform- Social Security facilities or by
ance-of-duty injuries for all govern- institutions, entities or persons
ment employees and employees of contracted by the Social Security.
private enterprise in the Republic Financial compensation
was established in Cabinet Decree employee ile
When an employee, while not
No. 68 dated March 31. 1970. e e a permanent disability
declared a permanent disability
Performance-of-duty case, is temporarily disabled for
injuries work because of a work-related
According to the decree, per- accident or performance-of-duty
,formiance-of-duty injuries are those injury and does not receive a salary,
accidents, injuries or illnesses which he or she has the right to a daily
employees sustain on the job while allowance, beginning on the first day
perf lrming their officially assigned of disability, of a sum equal to his or
duties.- her salary for the first two months
The-~ecree states that work and equal to 60 percent of that salary
accidents- clude those accidents: unti according to the Social
*l whicatocur in carrying out thea
* whic.c cur in carrying out the Security doctor, the employee is able
orders of 'a. employer or in to return to work or treatment is
performing aiervice authorized by discontinued.
the employer n if these occur When a temporary disability lasts
outside the wor e and after work for more than 360 days, payment of
hours; o compensation must be approved by
* which occur -^he course of a benefits committee within the
work interruptions, Ill as before Social Security organization. The
or after work, if the ' loyee, .for amount of compensation is com-
reason of duty, is at thl*&ork site or
reason of duty is at t k site or puted by the Social Security office.
on the premises of the fitf;, The degree of permanent dis-
Swhich are caused b'third ability will be determined by the
person or by the intentionaTtion board of directors of the Social
of the employer or a fellow \Corker
of the employer or a fellow worker Security System according to a table
during the performance of dut-,ror of disability evaluations.
* which occur while the employee In the case of total permanent
is on the way to work or going home -disabilitythe employee is entitled to
from work. a-monthly pension equivalent to 60
Also covered under performance- percent of his or her monthly salary.
of-duty injuries are those injuries, An employee who is permanently
illnesses and functional disorders partially disabled is entitled to an
which the employee may suffer later allowance proportionate to the
as a consequence of a work accident amount that would be received for a
or performance-of-duty illness of total permanent disability.
which he or she is the victim. An allowance for permanent
The decree also prescribes those partial or total .disability will be
injuries which, for the purpose of granted for a period of two years. If
Social Security coverage, are not the disability continues beyond the
considered to be performance-of- two years, the pension will be
duty injuries: considered permanent. The Social
* injuries which are self-inflicted
by the employee, U. . ct
I* injuries that are caused through U.S. Court sysl
negligence of the employee or while
failing to comply with instructions With the completion of the
and explicit orders, non-compliance Panama Canal Treaty transition
with safety regulations in the period on March 31, 1982, the U.S.
performance of duty, or being under District Court for the District of the
the influence of alcohol, unless the Canal Zone and the Balboa and
employer or a representative of the Cristobal Magistrates' courts will be
employer has permitted the em- disestablished, and most criminal
ployee to perform duties under these offenses committed in the Canal area
conditions. by U.S. citizens will be tried by

Entitlements
The insured employee is entitled
to the following rights in case of
work-related accidents or perform-
ance-of-duty injuries:
* The necessary medical, surgical
and hospital care and medication
and other therapeutic needs, and
* the provision, repair and re-
novation of prostheses and ortho-
paedic materials needed because of
the injury.

Panamanian courts. However, U.S.
authorities will continue to have the
primary right to exercise criminal
jurisdiction over certain offenses
-no matter where they occur--
which are committed by military
personnel, Department of Defense
civilians and their dependents. Also,
in certain cases, Panama is required
to give favorable consideration to
U.S. requests to exercise criminal
jurisdiction over certain types of

She SPII I.WAY is an official Panama Canal publication. Articles may be reprinted without further
permission by crediting the PANAMA CANA. SPILLWAY as the source News itemsshould arrive In
the Press Office by noon. Thursday, the week prior to publication. Only urgent. official material will he
accepted after the deadline Yearly subscriptions: regular mail $6: regular mail students $4. airmail 19.
Send check or money order payable to the Panama Canal Commission, to the Office of Public Affairs.
APO Miami 34011.

wo

Security reserves the right to review
the status of disability at any time.
An employee with a 35 percent
disability or less is entitled to
receive, instead of an allowance,
compensation equivalent to three
years of his salary. Compensation
for more than 35 percent disability
will be paid monthly.

Pensions
Women are entitled to a pension
at 55 years of age, while men are
given pensions at age 60.
Five percent will be deducted
from pensions to entitle pensioners
to health and maternity benefits.
Employees who request or who
already receive disability pensions
are subject to all medical examina-
tions that the Social Security System
deems necessary. together with
prescribed medical treatments for
healing and rehabilitation. Non-
compliance with these regulations
will result in discontinuance of
treatment and the suspension of
daily cash allowances.

Reporting an accident

The employer or a representative
of the employing firm must notify
the Social Security office within 48
hours of the accident or per-
formance-of-duty injury. The em-
ployee must report the accident to
the employer immediately, unless he
is physically unable to do so.
The victim of an accident or. in
the case of death, the next of kin or a
friend, can report the accident to the
Social Security office if it is
suspected that the employer has
omitted or delayed in complying
with the obligation to make the
notification.
The notification ot an accident
must be made in writing on an
official form ("Riesgos Profesio-
nales") provided to employers by the
Social Security office.
In the case of a serious accident,
the Social Security will make an
investigation at the site upon receipt'

Persons who will lose their
medical eligibility after March 31,
1982, may request a copy of recent
and important portions of their.
medical records from:
* Gorgas Army Hospital-Cor-
respondence Section, Patient Ad-
ministration Division, first floor,
Main Building.

* Coco Solo Army Hospital-
Outpatient Medical Records Sec-
tion.

* Fort Clayton Arm. Health
Center-Outpatient Medical Rec-
ords Section.
Requests should be made IN
PERSON at the primary treatment
facility, where records-are filed, so
that an appropriate release docu-
ment may be completed.
Since the number of records to be
copied is large, there may be some
delay in furnishing the copies. They
will be mailed on a first-requested,
first-completed basis.

tem in the Canal area being disestablished

offenses committed by Panama
Canal Commission employees.
During the transition period the
U.S. District Court and Magistrates'
courts have been exercising'limited
jurisdiction, as they are permitted to
hear only civil cases filed before
October 1, 1979, and criminal cases
involving U.S.-citizen employees of
U.S. government agencies or U.S.
military personnel and dependents
of both, who have committed
offenses in areas under U.S. control.
Along with the phase-out of the
Balboa and Cristobal magistrates'
courts and the U.S. District Court
for the District- of the Canal Zone,
the treaty calls for the dises-
tablishment of other agencies per-
forming criminal justice functions,
such as the Panama Canal Com-
mission Police, the Probation and
Parole Unit and the offices of the
Public Defender, the U.S. Attorney
and the U.S. Marshal. Some of these
agencies have already ceased to exist.
Changes called for by the treaty
resulted in a great increase in the
number of cases heard by Pan-
amanian courts. In anticipation of
this, Panamanian lawmakers passed
legislation for the establishment of
additional courts to handle cases in

the Canal area. These courts, which
have been in existence throughout
the transition period, will soon be
handling most offenses now:under
the jurisdiction of the U.S. District
Court and Magistrates' courts.

Special provisions have been
made in these courts to protect the
rights of the U.S. citizens who will be
tried in them. There are translators
available, and these courts will
remain open during the mor".' of
March, when Panama courts nor-
mally close, to insure that a speedy
trial can be given. Criminal proce-
dural guarantees provided for by the
treaty documents protect legal rights
of eligible U.S. citizens, such as the
right to be informed of the charge, to
have a U.S. Government represen-
tative present at the trial, and to be
able to cross-examine witnesses.

The Panamanian system contains
separate civil and criminal courts,
both having a municipal and a circuit
court. Municipal courts hear cases
involving small claims and minor
offenses, while serious crimes and
large lawsuits are heard by circuit
courts. The courts with jurisdiction
in the Canal area are located in the
P.A.D. area of Curundu on the
Pacific side and in Building 1303,

next to the Cristobal Police Station,
on the Atlantic side.
Traffic matters, except. those
involving a serious injury or death,
are handled by administrative courts
and are heard in the traffic court at
the headquarters of the "Direcci6n
Nacional de Trinsito y Transporte
Terrestre," which is located in the
former Civil Affairs building in
Ancon, and at the traffic court next
to the Guardia Nacional cuartel on
12th Street in Colon.
Panama Canal Commission em-
ployees and dependents with ques-
tions concerning procedures in the
Panamanian courts or protection
under the procedural guarantees
may contact the Liaison Unit,
scheduled to open on April 1, for
assistance. Military personnel, DOD
civilians and their dependents may
avail themselves of existing services
provided for by the Liaison Section
of the Provost Marshal's Office.
If summoned by a Panamanian
court to appear as a witness or a
defendant in any case which resulted
while on an official duty status,
Commission personnel should notify
the Office of the General Counsel.
Military personnel or DOD civilians
should notify their local Staff Judge
Advocate or command legal adviser.

Page 4

I

,rk-related injuries
of the notice of accident; It may also eficiaries will normally receive all
investigate an accident which has not medical treatment at Social Security
been reported, facilities in Panama, emergency
medical treatment for performance
Procedures for treatment of duty injuries sustained by Com-
Most minor performance of duty mission employees will be provided
injuries will be seen first by a at the nearest facility capable of
Panama Canal Commission Oc- furnishing the care needed, regard-
cupational Health Nurse on duty at less of the individual's eligibility at
the nearest Occupational Health that facility. Emergency medical
Center (Balboa Industrial Area, treatment is considered to be that
Pedro Miguel, Miraflores and Ga- which is necessary to prevent the loss
tun locks, Gamboa Health Center of ife, limb or sight or to prevent
and Mount Hope Industrial.Area) undue suffering.
regardless of the employee's citizen-
ship or health care system eligibility. Emergencies
Based on the nature of the injury, the In an emergency, the patient will
nurse will determine how the case is be immediately taken to the nearest
to be handled. hospital by Commission, MED-
For non-emergency cases, the DAC or Social Security ambulance
nurse will provide all first aid care or by unit vehicle. In those cases
which she is qualified to give and where the Social Security beneficiary
either return the employee to duty, if is taken to and receives emergency
appropriate, or request that the treatment at a MEDDAC hospital,
employee be taken to the nearest the patient will be transferred by
Social Security System facility for MEDDAC or CSS ambulance to
further professional care. During the appropriate Social Security
those hours when the Commission hospital after medical authorities
Occupational Health Nurses are not determine that the move can be
on duty, Social Security beneficiaries safely accomplished. At the time of
with minor injuries will be taken to transfer MEDDAC will forward
the nearest Social Security facility with the patient a copy of the
for treatment. First aid cases during physician's progress notes in order to
non-duty hours may also be taken to insure continuity of treatment.
the nearest Commission Fire Station Except in emergencies, for the
for treatment by an Emergency injured employee to receive priority
Medical Technician (EMT). treatment at the Social Security
Although Social Security ben- (Continued on page 5)

Here's how to request medical records

March 26 1982

THE PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY

Panama's joint patrol forces to serve in Canal area

The 30-month transition period of
the Panama Canal Treaty has been
characterized by a very unusual law
enforcement situation. Through
joint patrols in the Canal area, U.S.
and Panamanian police have exer-
cised concurrent criminal jurisdic-
tion. In doing so, the Panama Canal
Commission police force and 300
members of Panama's National
Guard proved that political and
cultural differences can be put aside
in the interest of a common
goal-professional law enforcement.
Maj. Aristides Valdonedo, head
of the Panamanian joint patrol
force, plans to retain the same men
and women of the National Guard
who served on the joint patrol to
continue police protection in the
Canal area after the transition
period.

These officers received a spe-
cialized form of training somewhat
different from that given to members
of the National Guard in other areas
of Panama. They were required to
familiarize themselves much more
extensively with the treaty, the joint
patrol manual and all other agree-
ments in effect between the United
States and Panama. U.S. laws,
under which residents of the Canal
area are accustomed to living, were
also explained to prepare the officers
for what the community might
expect in terms of law enforcement.
Human relations, especially in the
context of dealing with a different
culture, were also stressed.
The actual work experience with
Commission police exposed the
National Guard officers to useful law
enforcement techniques and skills.

Social Security (Continued from page 4)

facility and to qualify for any
compensation to which he or she
-fl�ia e -entitled, the patient must-
take along a CSS Form 02-1123-27,
Orden de Atenci6n Medica(Request
for Medical Attention) which has
been completed by the employee's
supervisor.

Forms
For statistical purposes and to
provide a basis for any compen-
sation, Social Security requires CSS
Form 2-1121-27, Riesgos Profe-
sionales (POD Injury Report), com-
pleted by the employing unit and
submitted in Spanish to the Social
Security within 48 hours after the
injury. For Pacific area and Gamboa
units the form is submitted to the
Chief, Safety Division for forward-
ing to the Social Security office.
Atlantic units submit the form
directly to the Social Security office
in Colon.

The employee is responsible for
completing, signing and submitting
the Riesgos Profesionales form to
the appropriate Social Security
office when an accident occurs.
enroute to/from work. Unit super-
visors have been asked to assist the
employee in completing the form if
such assistance is requested.

To receive compensation from the
Social Security an injured Com-
mission employee must present to
the Social Security a valid PCC
Form 267 which indicates that the
individual is in a leave without pay
status. This form is initiated by the
employee's organization and its
preparation is required in order to
insure that the individual is not
compensated by both the Com-
mission and Panama Social Security
for the same period of time.

The date that the beneficiary's
compensation check may be picked
up at the appropriate CSS office will
be written on the employee's copy of
the Riesgos Profesionales form when
it is returned by CSS. (The date given
to pick up compensation checks is
generally 9-12 work days after the
correctly completed Riesgos Profe-
sionales form is received by CSS.) To
receive the check, the beneficiary
must show his enrollment carnet. If
an individual other than the ben-
eficiary is to pick up the check, a
power of attorney form available
from CSS must be completed

beforehand and presented at the time
of pick up.
..- -I-- those- instances- where the
Riesgos Profesionales form is re-
turned. with the notation "Inves-
tigaci6n," the employee should take
the form and report as soon. as
possible to the "Secci6n de TrAmite"
of the appropriate Social Security
office. Processing the. beneficiary's
claim for compensation will not
commence until the investigation has
been completed.

An employee assigned to quarters
by Social Security medical facility
should present a CSS Form 2-364-12
(Certificado de Incapacidad), signed
by the treating physician when he or
she returns to duty.
In those instances where a Social
Security beneficiary has a scheduled
clinic appointment at a Social
Security facility and returns to duty
the same day, the employee will be
given a "Certificado de Consulta" by
the physician. This form accounts.
for the time away from the job and
also verifies that the employee was
seen in a Social Security facility.

Social Security medical
facilities

* The Occupational Health
Clinic (Riesgos Profesionales) of the
Caja de Seguro Social Hospital
located on the Trans-Isthmian High-
way in Panama City. After duty
hours, treatment is provided in the
emergency room of the hospital;

* The Social Security clinics in
the Pier 18 area of Balboa and in the
Cristobal Pier area where a nurse is
on duty from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a
physician from noon to 2 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. A nurse
continues on duty if vessel on- or off-
loading is still in progress;

* Paraiso and Rainbow City
Health centers are operated by the
Ministry of Health, but will treat
Social Security beneficiaries. Hours
are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday
through Friday; and

* Amador Guerrero Hospital on
Calle 10, Nuevo Crist6bal in Colon
where all cases are seen in the
emergency room.
Social Security beneficiaries are
issued identification cards by the
Caja de Seguro Social. They also
have a yellow Commission photo
identification card.

According to Major Valdonedo, the
treaty calls for a transfer of
knowledge and technology to Pan-
ama; the joint patrol was not only a
successful means by which that
transfer could occur,, he said, but was
also undoubtedly one of the best
available examples of the relation-
ship that can exist between two
countries committed to cooperation.
Many Panamanian police on the
joint patrol share his positive
assessment of the arrangement.
Corporal Joseph Bingley is among

those with a high regard for the
Commission police officers with
whom he served. He admits that, at
first, he was a bit apprehensive about
working in the Canal area with a
U.S. partner, but soon he felt right at
home. He and his partner became
close friends, he says, and learned to
think and act as one in the interest of
the community.
Although he has also trained with
Colombian, Costa Rican and Gren-
adian police, Sergeant Antonio
Perryman considers the joint patrol

training a unique and valuable
experience. He says further that he is
very pleased about the way the Canal
area community is willing to interact
with the police, adding that this
makes the officer's job much easier.

Several of the National Guard
joint patrol officers joined Major
Valdonedo in offering the com-
munity their assurances that they are
committed to maintaining the same
high level of police protection in the
Canal area that has always existed.

Treaty agreements offer legal protection

With the end of the treaty transition * Not to be held guilty on account
period on March 31, 1982, U.S. of any act or omission which did not
criminal jurisdiction in most of the constitute a criminal offense under the
Canal area will end, as Panama law of the Republic of Panama at the
assumes general responsibility for law time it was committed.
enforcement matters. 0 To be present at his trial, which
Members of the U.S. Forces and shall be public. However, without
U.S.-citizen Department of Defense prejudice to the procedural guarantees
civilians and Panama Canal Com- in this Annex, other persons whose
mission employees, and their de- presence is not necessary may be
pendents, who face prosecution in excluded, if the court so decides for
P~utanamaia haweot�taveertaiiTt- - b--der ormority -
guaranteed by treaty-related agree-
ments. These procedural guarantees * In his proceedings to have the
were designed to provide them with total burden of proof laden upon the
protections similar to those provided in Public Prosecutor or the prosecution.
criminal proceedings in the United * To have the court consider only
States. The treaty documents also voluntary confessions and evidence
guarantee accused persons all rights properly obtained in accordance with
contained in Panamanian law. the requirements of the law.
The United States will continue to * Not to be compelled to testify
exercise primary jurisdiction in cases against or otherwise incriminate him-
involving members of the U.S. Forces, self:
U.S.-citizen Department of Defense * Not to be required to. stand trial if
civilians and their dependents who he is not physically or mentally fit to
commit offenses on defense sites and stand trial and participate in his
military areas of coordination, as it will defense.
for certain specified types of offenses * Not to be tried or punished more
wherever they ar committed. The than once for the same offense.
treaty documents also require Panama To have the right to appeal a
to give favorable consideration to conviction or sentence.
requests for a waiver of jurisdiction in * To have credited to any sentence:
certain cases involving U.S.-citizen for confinement his entire period of
employees of the Panama Canal pre-trial custody.
Commission or their dependents. * Not to be subject to the
Provided for in Annex C of the application of martial law or trial by
Agreement in Implementation of military courts or special tribunals, and
treaty Article III, pertaining to the To enjoy other guarantees and
Commission's US.&-citizen employees
and their dependents, and in Annex D
to the Agreement in Implementation of.
Article IV, pertaining to the military
and U.S.-citizen employees of the
Department of Defense and their
dependents, are the following pro-
cedural guarantees:
* To a prompt and speedy trial.
* To be informed, in advance of .
trial, of the specific charge or charges .
made against him.
* To be confronted with and to be .,
allowed to cross-examine the witnesses i
against him. '
* To have evidence and witnesses in - 7.
his favor presented. The authorities.
shall submit such evidence and call the ' ' .
witnesses if they are within the
Republic of Panama.
* To have legal representation of his .
own choice for his defense during all
investigative and judicial phases from
the time of submission to questioning -
and throughout the entire proceedings;
or, if he indicates he lacks funds for his 4
defense, to be defended by the
appropriate public defender,
* To have the services of a
competent interpreter if he considers it
necessary.
* To communicate with a repre- Jan Meriwether of the Commission'
sentative of the government of the Asis of "PMMagazine,"a television s
United States and to have such a the United States, get hairy hugs fr
representative present, as an observer, Dam. Ms. Meriwether escorted the sh
at his trial, the Ist

rights provided for in the Constitution,
Judicial Code and other laws of the
Republic of Panama.
Both the United States and, Panama
are committed to seeing that these
guarantees are observed. It should be
kept in mind, however, that in criminal
matters every; case is unique. For
example, atiii a case for shoplifting
or simple-assault will be more quickly
granted-. than in a case involving a
conplex embezzlement or other crime
requiring analyses by technical experts
to complete the investigation.
Military personnel and DOD civ-
ilians and dependents who require
information in legal matters may visit
the office of the appropriate Service
Staff Judge Advocate. Commission
employees and dependents should
confer with the Liaison Unit which will
open on April 1, or consult a lawyer.

Architects congress
to sponsor concerts
The XVII Pan American Con-
gress of Architects will sponsor
concerts at the ruins of the Old
Dominican Convent's Flat Arch at 8
p.m. on March 31 and April 14. The
concerts are designed with the
purpose of bringing the old section
of Panama City back into the
community's cultural life.
Tickets at $20 per concert are
available at the Panamanian Society
of Engineers and Architects head-
quarters at 23-7265 or 64-0749.

Photo by Kevin Jenkins
s Office of Public Affairs and Karen
syndicate shown on stations all over
rom a couple of friends at Madden
how's crew during its working visit to
hmus.

Page 5

&

Project Orbis

People of vision fly to task of combatting blindness

Story by Jan Meriwether, photos by Kevin Jenkins

Medical experts say that of an
estimated 80 million people through-
out the world who are destined to be
blind by the year 2000, 53 million
people, or two-thirds of this number,
could be saved from blindness by
medical treatment known today.
The problem is how to disseminate
this sight-saving technology to doc-
tors worldwide. An important step
in meeting the challenge was taken
last month with the arrival on the
Isthmus of Project Orbis by invita-
tion of the Ophthalmological So-
ciety of Panama.
Project Orbis is an independent,
non-political, non-profit organiza-
tion whose primary mission is to
combat eye disease and blindness by
gathering and exchanging knowl-
edge with doctors all over the world
on the latest innovations in eye
surgery and eye disease treatment.
The heart of the project is a
standard DC-8 jet airplane that has
been converted into a combination
teaching hospital, operating room,
and audiovisual center. The jet has
been refitted to make it completely
self-sufficient on the ground, and is
equipped with its own power supply
for air-conditioning, water purifica-
tion, lighting and other electrical
requirements. Each system also has a
backup for emergencies.
Because of the technical and
logistical complexity of the Orbis
mission, the full-time staff includes a
medical coordinator, two senior
trainees in ophthalmology, three
nurses, a nurse anesthetist, an
audiovisual programmer, an audio-
visual engineer, a systems engineer,
two flight engineers and two pilots.
First conceived of by Dr. David
Patton of Houston, Texas, in 1972,
Project Orbis was almost 10 years in
the making and is the result of the
hard work, talent and generosity of
many individuals, as well as private
and government organizations. The
concept of a flying eye hospital and
classroom is unique, and Panama
was the first stop on what Project
Orbis organizers hope will be a
successful and lasting endeavor that
will benefit millions.
Project Orbis visits a country only
at the invitation of ophthalmologists

from that country who wish to take
advantage of this unprecedented
program of medical education. All
teaching and eye operations are
provided free of charge.
What makes the project especially
valuable is that the host physicians in
each country choose what types of
operating techniques, eye treatment
and eye diseases they wish to work
with. The host doctors also make
patients available for the operations.
This means that each country visited
by Project Orbis is actually setting up
its own customized, teaching pro-
gram designed to best benefit its
people.
Orbis ophthalmologists also learn
from their hosts, who perhaps have
developed their own particular
techniques or who are more familiar
with local eye diseases that are not
found elsewhere in the world.
The Ophthalmological Society of
Panama was particularly interested
in corneal transplants, cataract
surgery and the treatment of glau-
coma, as well as the use of the laser
and vitrectomy, a sophisticated new
technique used to treat certain eye
diseases and injuries.
The Orbis jet was parked at
General Omar Torrijos Herrera
Airport in Panama City, and a
waiting room in the airport was set
aside for patients, doctors and
visitors. Dr. Robert Munsch, Orbis
ophthalmologist and medical co-
ordinator, says that the enthusiastic
response from Panama's ophthal-
mologists was very gratifying and
that almost all of them visited the
plane and worked with the Orbis
surgeons. Local ophthalmologist
Dr. Augusto Arosemena, who as-
sisted visiting surgeon Dr. Delmar
Caldwell from Tulane University in
an eye operation on board the plane,
says that Project Orbis created a lot
of interest in Panama and should
greatly benefit the science of oph-
thalmology here.
A vital part of Project Orbis is its
highly sophisticated audiovisual cen-
ter, which includes a control room
with 10 television cameras, a com-
plete monitoring and editing system
and an audio system. Doctors in the
plane's classroom can observe actual

.~ ~
, - i - -

BIENVENIDOSn

PROYECTOS

ORBIS

AIRUN

Above, one of the waiting rooms at the international airport in Panama City is set aside for patients awaiting
treatment on board the Project Orbis jet and for visitors and medical personnel. Below, the DC-8jet is made
completely self-sufficient while on the ground by means of seven special power packs, seen in the foreground,
that provide all power for the plane's support and backup systems.

eye surgery in progress in the
operating room by means of tele-
vision monitors. They can also
communicate directly with the sur-
geon by using special audio equip-
ment. Because the classroom only
has a capacity of 18 people, the Orbis
jet is equipped with other monitors
that can be set up in nearby areas so
that larger audiences may also
observe the operations and hear the
explanations.
Among the many sophisticated
pieces of video equipment used by
Project Orbis is a single-tube camera
weighing less than five pounds that is
attached to operating microscopes
used in microsurgery on the eye.
Dr. Munsch explains that Orbis
provides a very effective teaching
tool-the opportunity for visiting
and local doctors to actually work
together in the operating room,
exchanging and teaching skills. This
"hands-on" method of teaching is
considered a key to the success of
Project Orbis.
An equally important facet is the
recording and disseminating of
knowledge to those physicians who
are not able to visit and participate
personally in Project Orbis. For this

purpose, video recording equipment
is used to record and document all
activities in the plane's operating
room, classroom and examining
room. The tapes are later made
available to medical schools, oph-
thalmological societies and doctors
all over the world.
Because the goal of Project Orbis
is to exchange and share in-
formation, the plane's resource
library is equipped with video tapes
and films, textbooks and journals,
glaucoma screening programs, in-
formation on ophthalmic fellow-
ships available and other materials to
supplement the program requested
by a particular country.
Dr. Munsch says that a member of
the staff will return a few months
after the initial visit to determine if
the visit had been successful in its
mission of improving the ability of
that country's ophthalmologists to
treat eye disease.
Panama was the first stop for
Project Orbis which is now sched-
uled to visit Ecuador, Jamaica,
Brazil, Colombia and Peru before
returning to the United States for
maintenance and then setting out
again on its humanitarian mission.

Organizers and staff are optimistic
that their goal will be met, and they
have estimated that in 10 years, over
12 million people with eye diseases
will have been affected by Orbis, as
well as approximately 9,000 ophthal-
mologists worldwide.
Sir John Wilson, president of the
International Association for the
Prevention of Blindness and a
member of the Orbis board of
directors, says that "people do not
really go blind by the millions. They
go blind individually, each in his own
predicament." Project Orbis is com-
mitted to saving sight by reaching
out to individuals.

How to contribute

Project Orbis must continue to
meet its funding goals if it is to
keep flying on its mission to
combat world blindness. Anyone
who would like to contribute to
the effort may contact Karin
Eisele, Vice President for Ex-
ternal Affairs, Project Orbis, 330
West 42nd Street, New York,
N. Y. 10036.

ORBIS -~ ;-
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THE PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY

March 26, 1982

Page 6

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Page 7

THE PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY

March 26. 1982

Equipped with the latest in sophisticated operating equipment, a surgical team, above, performs delicate eye surgery
within the confines of the belly of a jet airplane. At right, a young patient is prepared for surgery.

A group of Panamanian ophthalmologists and guests seated in the plane's classroom The sophisticated audiovisual center on board the Orbis jet records everything that
watch a television monitor showing an actual eye operation in progress in the operating happens in the operating room and classroom so that teaching films can be made and
room located behind the double doors in the rear. A special audio system allows the distributed to ophthalmologists and medical institutions worldwide.
doctors to hear the surgeon's explanations and to ask questions during the operation.

At left, the medical staff uses a special microscope for performing microsurgery on the eye, a surgical technique gaining
popularity because it enables ophthalmologists to see the eye at much greater magnification than ever before. In the
plane's examining room, above, an ophthalmologist uses a highly sophisticated laser to treat a patient, while visiting
Panamanian doctors shield their eyes from the laser's intense light.

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THE PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY

March 26, 1982

Health care
generally known as the Social
Security Hospital.
The Municipal Hospital has 900
beds and cares for an average of
20,000 patients a year, said Hospital
Director Dr. Alonso Roy, in an
interview. He added that there are
3,200 employees including 65 in-
terns, 105 residents and 325 spe-
cialists. Specialists must have two
years of internship and three years of
practice before joining the staff, Roy
said. A graduate of Tulane Univer-
sity, Roy also said that over 85
percent of the specialists have done
some undergraduate or graduate
medical studies in the United States.
There are two emergency rooms in
the hospital, one is for adults and the
other for children. In addition, the
adult-emergency area has a new unit
for intensive on-the-spot care of
heart-attack victims.
Of the three intensive-care wards,
the newest is also for heart-attack
victims. In the ward, cardiac mon-
itors in each patient's cubicle and at a
central console, monitor vital signs.
There is around-the-clock vigilance
in the ward, which has space for 11
patients.
In a separate interview, Executive
Director of Medicines and Provi-
sions Dr. Julio Sandoval said that
few hospitals in the world and none
in Central America or South
America have the kind and quality of
medicines available at the Social
Security Hospital.
He added that there is a back-up
system for acquiring scarce med-
icines within 24 to 48 hours, by
calling a special medical-supply

among benefits (Continued frompage 1)

center in Miami.
All patients covered by Social
Security get their midicines free of
charge.
On the Atlantic Side, Social
Security patients use the smaller
Amador Guerrero Hospital located
on 10th Street and Gorgas Drive.
There, they are also eligible for all
the benefits provided by Panama's
Social Security System.
In an interview several months
ago, Hospital Director, Dr. Jaime
Trejos, indicated that the hospital
has 230 beds.
On staff at Amador Guerrero are
106 doctors, including 30 interns, 16
residents, and 60 specialists. Addi-
tionally there are 90 nurses, 120
auxiliary nurses and 20 laboratory
technicians, along with a full com-
plement of personnel in radiology
and physical therapy.
At the hospital there is one
emergency room which operates 24
hours a day. It is staffed in shifts by
,10 doctors. Also, specialists for
emergencies are on call anytime day
or night. Trejos stated that the
emergency room is fully equipped
for radiology and with respirators

and operating equipment.
The intensive-care, unit at the
hospital has three beds. In the ward,
patients are monitored by nurses and
a doctor at all times. Here, too,
specialists are always on call.
Maternity care is an important
service of the hospital. Approxi-
mately 250 babies are born each
month, with an average of 8 to 10 a
day. -
In addition to the Amador
Guerrero Hospital, on the Atlantic
side there are four Social Security
clinics, three in Colon and one in
Ciudad Arco Iris, formerly Rainbow
City. The Colon clinics are located
on 5th Street, 9th Street and llth
Street, while the one in Ciudad Arco
Iris is in the former Community
Center complex.
Recognizing the need for hospital
improvement and expanded health
services, a new social security
hospital is currently under construc-
tion in Colon, which is expected to
be completed in about two years.
With space for 200 beds, the hospital
is expected to cost between $10
million and $12 million.

Atlantic side plans Easter relay run

For something new on the
Atlantic side, the Panama Canal
Commission Recreation Services
Branch will host its first annual
Easter relay run at 6:30 a.m. on
Saturday, April 3, beginning at the
Coco Solo Army Commissary and
finishing at the Gatun Gym.
To sign up or for additional
information, please call Eugenio

Transition History
(Continued from page 1)

According to Ms. Rodrigues,
some of the areas were easier to
research than others. "For instance,
the police subcommittee kept ex-
cellent records of all meetings and
documented all decisions," she says.
"This considerably decreased the
research we had to do in that area."
Ms. Robles, who was responsible for
the section on the ports and the
railroad, added that researching this
section was a great deal more
difficult. "The information was more
technical," she said, "and key
personnel had left the Isthmus to
take positions in the United States,
so that they were not available for
interviews."
An interesting sidelight to the
research has been the opportunity to
study the complex industrial or-
ganization that made up the Panama

Take note
* The vehicle registration office
in Ancon will be closed for Holy
Week beginning April 3.
* The monthly meeting of the
Commissary Advisory Council
will be held at 9:30 a.m. on March
30 at the Corozal Commissary.
There will be a tour of the
warehouse following the meeting,
and all members and unit
representatives should attend.
* Panama Canal Commission
employees and their dependents
who are third-country nationals
and who possess full purchasing
privileges at military facilities are
required to renew their IP cards
in accordance with the schedule
published in last week's issue of
THE SPILLWAY. For more in-
formation, contact the Employee
Documentation Unit at 52-3238.

Canal Company, together with its
supportive Canal Zone Govern-
ment, and the-transformation pro-
cess by which it became the Panama
Canal Commission. "The Canal
organization was a self-contained
entity before the treaty implemen-
tation began," Ms. Rodrigues ex-
plains. "It could handle its own
problems and take care of its own
business without any outside agency
participation. This is no longer true.
The Canal organization now has an
inter-dependency with DOD and
agencies of the Republic of Panama
who provide many of its community
services, such as medical care and
police services. It says a great deal for
the designers of the treaty and those
who planned for implementation
that, despite changes in servicing
agencies, these services have been
continued smoothly throughout the
transition period."
Ms. Rodrigues and Ms. Robles
say that the cooperation between
representatives of the two countries
has been evidenced at all levels and in
all categories, through all areas of
their research. "When original plans
didn't work, they didn't.just give up,"
says Ms. Rodrigues. "They devel-
oped alternatives until they reached
mutual accord on practical ways to
solve their problems."
Asked about the central theme of
the history, Ms. Rodrigues said, "It
will center around the changes in the
Canal organization and community
that have been brought about by the
treaty." In brief, this will include
Panama Canal Company services
and divisions transferred to Panama,
those transferred to the Department
of Defense and those retained as part
of the newly formed Panama Canal
Commission.

"Bobby" Roberts between 1 and 6
p.m., weekdays at 43-5242.
All Panama Canal Commission
employees, Department of Defense
employees, active-duty military per-
sonnel and their dependents are
eligible to participate. Teams will be
comprised of three runners of any
age in two categories, male and
female.
Carrying batons, lead.runners will
begin in front of the Coco Solo
Army Commissary. Batons will be
exchanged at approximately 3-mile
intervals with the final runner
finishing in front of the Gatun Gym.
Trophies and medals will be
awarded to teams in first through
fifth place, with each winning team
member receiving an award.
In order for ground rules to be
explained and the route of the run to
be mapped out, there will be a
meeting for all participants at 6:30
p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, at
the Gatun Gym.

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted to the Employment and
Placement Branch, Building 366, Ancon, or Building 1105, Cristobal, on Form
443, APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER, no later than seven (7) days from the
date of this publication. Qualification Standards may be reviewed at the Library-
Museum. Further information may be obtained from the Employment and
Placement Branch, telephone 52-3583, 52-7996 or 46-7219.
Status Applicants: Applications from status applicants will be considered
only if there are no applicants on the Reemployment Priority List.
Handicapped Applicants: Handicapped individuals may call or visit
Sofia Chu at the Employment and Placement Branch for counseling with regard
to applying for any of the above-listed vacancies. The office is located in Building
366, Ancon, telephone 52-7867.

Repromotion Consideration: Employees downgraded as a result of RIF
will be given automatic priority consideration for repromotion to the permanent
vacancies listed above for which they qualify. As a double check, however,
employees who believe they are entitled-to such priority consideration should
apply for vacancies in which they are interested and indicate on the application
form that they were demoted in RIF. Consideration of candidates for
repromotion will precede efforts to fill the position by competitive procedures.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive
consideration for appointments without regard to race, religion, color, national
origin, sex, age, partisan political affiliation, handicapping condition or any
other non-merit factor, A separate application must be submitted for each job
listed.

*The base salaries listed above are the entry salaries for employees hired locally for the first time after
October 7, 1979. These salaries, except those identified as critical skill, will be adjusted to either the Canal
Area Wage Base or the U.S. Wage Base, depending on the eligibility of the applicant selected. A tropical
differential will be added to the applicable wage bases of eligible U.S. citizens. A recruitment/retention
incentive will be added to the applicable base salaries of employees recruited from outside the Republic of
Panama.
**Critical skill position for which there is a need for off-Isthmus recruitment.
' Requires completion of a self-certification form attesting ability to type at a speed ofat least forty words
per minute. (40 wpm).

Here's a switch! Photo by Kevin Jenkins
Senior Canal pilot Charles H. Taylor pulled a switch at Miraflores Locks last week as president of the 200,000-
member Southeastern Shrine Association, whose Board of Directors came to Panama for their mid-winter
meeting. Captain Taylor, who is also president of the Panama Canal Pilots' Association, was assisted by
Illustrious Hugo Adams, potentate of the host temple, Abou Saad of Balboa.